Centrifugal cleaning apparatus for paint applicators



March 18, 1958 o. 'BOEHM 2,826,826

CENTRIFUGAL CLEANING APPARATUS FOR PAINT APPLICATORS Filed Jan. 18, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 5: FIG. .1.

INVENTOR. 07-7-0 50E HM,

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March 18, 1958 CENTRIFUGAL CLEANING APPARATUS FOR PAINT APPLICATORS Fil ed Jan. 18, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.

INVENTOR.

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ATTOB/VE Y United States Patent 7 2,826,826 CENTRIFUGAL CLEANING APPARATUS FOR PAINT APPLICATORS Otto Boehm, Detroit, Mich. Application January 18, 1957, Serial No, 634,947 4 Claims. (Cl. 3458) This invention relates generally to improved cleaning and drying apparatus for paint applicators or the like, a primary object of invention being to provide centrifugal cleaning apparatus including means for rotating a paint applicator about its longitudinal axis within an open top container wherein residual solvent and the like disposed on the applicator will be centrifugally dispensed within the container accordingly cleaning said applicator and permitting the same to dry in a well preserved condition.

Another object of invention in conformance with that set forth is to provide centrifugal cleaning apparatus of the character involved which incorporates a power transmission removably received on an open top container, said power transmission incorporating support means for suspending a paint applicator longitudinally within the open top container, and further including driven means for rotating the paint applicator about its longitudinal axis for centrifugally cleaning the same, said driven means being operatively connected to the power take-off means of the power transmission. 7

'And yet a further object of invention in conformance with that set forth is to provide in a centrifugal cleaning apparatus for paint applicators adaptor means for cleaning both paint applicators of the brush and roller types.

These together with other objects and advantages which will subsequently become apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the centrifugal cleaning apparatus, showing the same being used for the purpose of cleaning a roller" type paint applicator, portions being broken away and shown in section for clarity;

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken substantially on the plane of line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical section taken sub stantially on the plane of line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical section taken substantially on the plane of line 44 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a vertical section similar to Figure 2, showing the centrifugal cleaning apparatus incorporating an adaptor forv the purpose of cleaning a paint applicator of the brush type; and

Figure 6 is a fragmentary section taken substantially on the plane of line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Referring to the drawing in detail, and particularly to Figures 1 through 4, indicated generally at 10 is an exemplary embodiment of the centrifugal cleaning apparatus of the invention, said apparatus including a suitably conformed open topped container indicated generally at'12 and a power transmission indicated generally at 14.

The container 12 may be of any suitable configura- "ice a suitable gear train indicated generally at 22. The gear train 22 incorporates triangularly related support shafts suitably supported in spaced relationship transversely of the compartment 20, said shafts respectively being indicated at 24, 26 and 28. The shaft 24 extends externally of the housing 16 and has suitably secured thereon substantially Z-shaped handle 30. The shaft 24 supports thereon a first driving gear 32 intermeshed with a pinion gear 34 suitably keyed on shaft 26. Also keyed on shaft 26 is a relatively enlarged gear 36 intermeshed with a driven pinion gear 38 suitably keyed on shaft 28. The housing member 16 incorporates a tubular portion 40 surrounding an intermediate portion of the power output shaft 28, see Figure 2, and is integrally connected to a suitable annular housing 42 through which the power output shaft 28 extends. The housing 42 incorporates a downwardly opening transverse slot 44, and suitably keyed on an intermediate portion ofthe shaft 28 within the housing 42 is a crown gear 46 the lower portion of which extends out of the slot 44. The housing member 42 incorporates a depending strap 48, and the lower portion of the crown gear 46 and the terminal end of the strap 48 will be disposed within the container 12 as clearly seen in Figure 2. Suitably secured on the housing 42 and extending transversely beneath the handle 18 is a support strap or bar 50 incorporating transversely therethrough a finger engageable adjusting screw 52. The lower threaded end 54 of the screw 52 is received transversely through an internally threaded retaining grommet 56 suitably secured in a transverse flange portion 58 of a depending vertical adjustable upwardly opening support hook 60.

Indicated generally at 62 is a paint applicator of the roller type, said roller incorporating a cylindrical tubular support member 64 having suitably circumposed about the outer surface thereof an absorbent material 66 which will be impregnated with the paint to be applied. A suitable cap element 68 is inserted in one end of the roller 64 being centrally apertured at 70 for receiving therethrough the support shaft 72 of the handle 74 of the paint applicator. The shaft 72 incorporates a right angular bend portion 76 which continues in a right angular bend portion 78 substantially parallel to the support shaft 72, the portion 78 being integral with a support shaft portion 80 received within and suitably secuied in the handle 74. Generally, the conventional roller type applicator will incorporate in the end of the tubular support member 64 opposite that in which the cap ele ment 68 is shown another cap element similar to the cap element 68. When utilizing the centrifugal cleaning apparatus, one of the cap elements 68 will be removed from the tubular member 64 and replacing the same will bea frictionally inserted end member 82 centrally apertured 'at 84 for receiving therethrough the support shaft 72.

Theend member or insert member 82 incorporates a peripheral crown gear 86 interengageable with the crown gear 46. The support shaft 72 incorporates adjacent the terminal end 88 thereof a circumferential annular groove 90 receiving therein a removable lock ring 92.

Accordingly, conventional roller type paint applicators may be modified by inserting the insert end plate 82 therein. The. support shaft 72 will extend longitudinally through the tubular member 64, as seen in Figure 2. The portion 76 of the support shaft 72 will be received in the upwardly opening hook 60, the adjustable screw 52 drawing the crown gear 86 into intermeshed engagement with the crown gear 46 con-- stituting the drive gear for the paint applicator, the

handle 18 incorporating in one side thereof a lost motion slot 94 permitting the roller to be drawn upwardly as seen in Figure 2. The terminal end of the abutment strap 48wil1 be engagedwith the upwardly disposed 3 surface of the insert member 82, and the screw 52 will be backed ofi to prevent binding of the roller, the same being rotated about its. longitudinal axis with the container 12 due to rotation of the handle 30. An individual using the. apparatus may apply hand pressure on the handle 18 for retaining the same on the top of the container, and by virtue of rotating the paint applicator about its longitudinal axis, residual paint, solvent etc. will be centrifugally dispensed into the container thus cleaning the applicator in a satisfactory manner.

Considering Figures and 6, the power transmission assembly 14 is utilized with a relatively, elongated open topped container indicated generally at 12. Cooperating with the crown gear 46 and vertically adjustable hook 60 previously described in detail, is a clamp assembly indicated generally at 96 utilized for cleaning paint applicators of the brush type. The clamp assembly .96 incorporates a conical downwardly opening cap element 98integral at its upper tubular end 100 ,with a trans versely apertured grommet element 102 fixedly secured to an upwardly extending crown gear 104. Extending transversely through the crown gear 104 is a suitably secured stub shaft 106, the upper end of which terminating in a laterally extending support shaft 108, said support shaft 108being received within the upwardly opening vertically adjustable hook 60. The abutment strap of the housing 42 of the power transmission assembly will abuttingly engage an intermediate portion of the crown gear 104, for properly orienting the crown gear 104 in intermeshed engagement with the crown gear 46. The housing .98 incorporates from opposite sides thereof a pair of depending resilient strap elements 110 and 112, most clearly seen in Figure 6, said straps incorporating at their lower terminal endsU-shaped bend portions 114 and 116, respectively, each of which incorporating on. opposed surfaces friction increasing surfaces 118 and 120, respectively, engageable on opposite sides of a brush handle 122 of a paint applicator of the brush type indicated generally at 124. The straps 110 and 112 have extending transversely thereof support plates 126 and 128, respectively, being suitably secured thereon by means ,of suitable rivets 130, for example. The plates 126 and 128have extending transversely therethrough aligned aperture portions adjacent opposite ends thereof for receiving therethrough suitable wing nut-and-bolt assemblies indicated generally at 130 for retaining the brush handle 122 longitudinally of the clamping assembly 96. Rotation ,of thehandle 30 of the power transmission assembly will accordingly rotate the brush type paint applicator abouts its longitudinal axis accordingly centrifugally ,disposing residual paint, solvent and the like within the container 12'.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents maybe resorted to, falling within the scope ofthe appended claims. 1

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. Centrifugal cleaning apparatus for paint applicators comprisinga tubular open topped container, a power transmission assembly removably received on the container and including power take-ofli means overlying the open topped container, support means on the power transmission assembly'for suspending a paint applicator longitudinally within the container, and driven means engage- 1 "able with the power take-ofl means and including means frictionallyengageable with the paint applicator for rotating the same about its longitudinal axis within the containera nd centn'fugally dispensing residual solvent or the like within the container, the power transmission assembly comprising a housing member having journalled therein a power input shaft and a power output shaft, a gear 4 train operatively connected between said shafts for driving the power output shaft at a greater speed than the power input shaft, the power take-off means comprising a drive gear secured on the power output shaft on an axis of rotation normal to and intersecting the axis of rotation of the driven means for the paint applicator, the support means comprising a transverse support bar in the housing member on the power transmission assembly overlying the open topped container, a vertically adjustable upwardly opening hook element supported on the support bar for engaging an underlying support shaft, the driven element comprising a horizontally rotatable gear member secureable in fixed relation concentric of one end of the longitudinal axis of rotation of an applicator in driving engagement with the drive gear.

2. Centrifugal cleaning apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the horizontally rotatable gear member comprises an end wall insert of a paint applicator of the roller type, said insert wall incorporating a peripheral crown gear drivingly engageable with the drive gear on the power output shaft.

3. Centrifugal cleaning apparatus as set forth in claim I wherein said support means comprises a clamp assembly including opposed resilient clamp elements for detachably engaging opposite sides of a brush handle of a paint applicator of the brush type, the driven gear member comprising an upwardly disposed crown gear secured at the upper end of the strip elements, a stub shaftextending centrally through the crown gear and rotatably supporting the clamp assembly, said stub shaft including a laterally extending snpport portion removably engageable in the upwardly opening hook element.

4. Centrifugal cleaning apparatus for paint applicators comprising a tubular open topped container, at power trans' mission assembly removably received on the container and including power take-off means overlying the open topped container, support means on the power transmission assembly for suspending a paint applicator longitudinally within the container, and driven means engageable with the power take-off means and including means frictionally engageable with the paint applicator for rotating the same about its longitudinal axis within the container and ccntrifugally dispensing residual solvent or the like within the container, the power transmission assembly comprising a housing member having journalled therein a power input shaft and a power output shaft, a gear train operatively connected between said shafts for driving the power output shaft at a greater speed than the power input shaft, the power takeoff means comprising a drive gear secured on the power output shaft on an axis of rotation normal to and intersecting the axis of rotation of the driven means for the paint applicator, the support means comprising a transverse support bar in the housing member on the power transmission assembly overlying the open topped container, a vertically adjustable upwardly opening hook element supported on the support bar for engaging an underlying support shaft, the driven element comprising a horizontally rotatable gear member secureable in fixed relation concentric of one end of the longitudinal axis of rotation of an applicator in driving engagement with the drive gear, the support bar including a depending abutment element engageable with an upper surface portion of the horizontally rotatable gear for orienting the same into meshing engagement with the drive gear.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,413,882 Wheelock Apr. 25, 1922 1,694,541 Harry Dec., 11, 1928 2,542,491 Engel Feb. 20, 1951 2,741,857 Linatsas Apr. 17, 1956 2,794,264 Scholtka June 4, 1957- 2,794,265 Kruger June 4. 1957 

